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High Sierra Ranger District Fire Danger & Restrictions
Stage 3Safety brief
Updated
High fire danger today.
Fire danger is high in the High Sierra Ranger District. Campfires are allowed in designated campgrounds and picnic areas, but prohibited above 10,400 feet in the southern backcountry and 10,000 feet in the northern backcountry. Portable stoves with a shut-off valve are permitted, and Wilderness and California Campfire Permit holders can use specific fuel stoves. Welding and acetylene torches with open flames are prohibited. Always check current conditions and specific regulations for your intended location before your trip.
Restrictions
Campfires and Stoves
Equipment and Work
Shooting and Closures
Backcountry campfiresRestricted
Campfires prohibited above 10,400 ft (south) and 10,000 ft (north) of ridgeline; prohibited in specific wilderness lake areas; allowed elsewhere in backcountry.
Conditions
- Prohibited above 10,400 feet south of Mt. Henry to Hot Springs Pass ridgeline
- Prohibited above 10,000 feet north of ridgeline
- Prohibited in designated areas within ¼ mile of specific lakes and basins (Exhibits A-O)
Exceptions
- Persons with valid Wilderness Permit or California Campfire Permit may use portable lantern or stove with gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel
Campground campfiresAllowed
Campfires allowed in designated campgrounds and picnic areas.
Conditions
- Only in Designated Recreation Sites listed in Exhibit A of Order 05-15-00-26-10
Propane fuel and camp stovesRestricted
Portable stoves with fuel shut-off valve allowed; Wilderness and California Campfire Permit holders may use gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel stoves.
Conditions
- Fuel shut-off valve required
- Portable lantern or stove using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel
Exceptions
- Wilderness Permit holders
- California Campfire Permit holders
- Recreation residence permit holders
Welding and grindingProhibited
Welding and acetylene torches with open flame prohibited.
Exceptions
- Federal, State, or local officers in official duty
- Persons with FS-7700-48 permit
- Non-recreational activities with Forest Service authorization
Restrictions last checked
Near-surface wildfire smoke forecast
Estimated AQI*
0max avg 0 µg/m³ around 3 AM
Good wildfire smoke
Forecast updated Sep 9, 2026, 6:59 PM
* Estimated AQI is an equivalent interpretation of forecast wildfire-smoke PM2.5 only; it is not an observed or official AQI reading.
| Local time | District average | p10 | p90 | Estimated AQI* | Smoke category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 9, 7:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 9, 8:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 9, 9:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 9, 10:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 9, 11:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 12:00 AM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 1:00 AM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 2:00 AM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 3:00 AM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 4:00 AM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 5:00 AM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 6:00 AM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 7:00 AM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 8:00 AM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 9:00 AM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 10:00 AM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 11:00 AM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 12:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 1:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 2:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 3:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 4:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 5:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 6:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
* Estimated AQI is an equivalent interpretation of forecast wildfire-smoke PM2.5 only; it is not an observed or official AQI reading. HRRR forecasts near-ground smoke; district values are area-weighted, conditions vary by location, and other pollution sources are not included.
Check current observed air quality on AirNow (opens in a new tab)Recent changes
30-day fire danger history
Last 30 days
Stable at High since Aug 10.
Ratings and restrictions are collected from official source pages and may lag agency updates. Always confirm current fire restrictions, closures, evacuation notices, and emergency guidance with the responsible agency before starting a trip.
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